Re: advantages of uploading (was Re: re [2]: What is "New Age"? )

Anders Sandberg (nv91-asa@nada.kth.se)
Thu, 12 Jun 1997 17:15:06 +0200 (MET DST)


On Thu, 12 Jun 1997, E. Shaun Russell wrote:

> In addition, why would one want to be able to pick up a program that
> makes them the "ultimate pianist?" Something must be said for the earning
> of knowledge...an upload program such as this would be much to simple and
> probably dissatisfying. Also, most of piano playing (and indeed, most other
> skills) is about exploration and desire even more than it is ability.

Very true. Still, I would like to be able to learn the basics of many
fields so that I could develop them further in my own style. often I
have found that one has to learn the basics just to understand if a
field is worth pursuing or not, and what potential one has in it. If
basic knowledge could be transferred, it would be great. But I doubt
anybody could download "Microsoft Ultimate Pianist" and become more
than a brilliant entertainment at the next party.

What we value in pianists (and other experts) is their personal
touches, that is why we don't regard painting by numbers as art (but
if you start from painting by numbers and then do something
individual with it, like changing the colors or adding new details,
then you are suddenly creating art). Maybe in the future art school
will consist of one week of downloading of technical skills, and then
several years of individualization.

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Anders Sandberg Towards Ascension!
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